While freshman have adjust to the college life, many upper classmen continue to recruit new members for their organizations. Kayla Felix, a junior studying Chemistry and Biology, reaches out to students all across campus encouraging them to get involved in the community. As community service chair of Circle K International (CKI), the only community service organization on campus, Felix strives to reach out to students interested in making a difference in the community. "The goal and purpose of CKI is to make an impact on the community, promote community service and leadership development, and to encourage others to become active in the community as well," Felix explains.
Circle K International is sponsored by Kiwanis International, the headquarters of each Kiwanis family club. Kiwanis International, founded in 1915, is broken down into four family clubs; K-Kids for primary school children, Builders Club for adolescents, Key Club for teens in high school, and CKI for university students. Each club focuses on changing the world by serving others, one child and community at a time. According to the Kiwanis International official website, Kiwanis has staged nearly 150,000 service projects and raised nearly $100 million every year for communities, families, and projects.
Over the past few years, CKI members at the UT have participated in service projects that include but not limited to, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, an effort aimed to keep the beaches of Tampa clean, Faith Cafe, a cafe used solely to feed homeless and needy families, and Metropolitan Ministries, a program aimed towards serving the poor and homeless families. "The best part about being a member of CKI is knowing that by participating in any service project, you are making a positive impact on the world every day - it's such a great feeling," says Michelle Torrech, the secretary of CKI. She is excited about this upcoming semester and is looking forward to getting to know new members who are excited about service to the community.
This semester, starting Oct.16, Felix, Torrech, and other members of CKI, will be volunteering every Wednesday and Friday with Metropolitan Ministries in its efforts in providing food and services to poor and homeless families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk County. In order to participate in this project, CKI members and other volunteers are required to register through the project’s website at www.metromin.org or contact them via phone at (813)209-1045. The office is located at 2001 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602. It is beneficial to register in advance so they are aware of how many volunteers will be participating that day.
According to older members, there are many benefits from joining CKI that include making new friends, experiencing excellent networking opportunities, meeting people from all over the nation, gaining leadership development, and attending international conventions. “Participating in service projects within the community allows you to meet and interact with all kinds of people and it is encouraging to be surrounded by other students who strive to achieve the same goals towards community service,” Felix says. “I never understood why more students aren’t involved.” Circle K International’s meetings are held Wednesday at 8 PM in Walker Hall room 408. Anyone is welcomed to join and there are no requirements for membership. It’s time to get out and get involved in your community. You can start making a difference today.
Over the past few years, CKI members at the UT have participated in service projects that include but not limited to, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, an effort aimed to keep the beaches of Tampa clean, Faith Cafe, a cafe used solely to feed homeless and needy families, and Metropolitan Ministries, a program aimed towards serving the poor and homeless families. "The best part about being a member of CKI is knowing that by participating in any service project, you are making a positive impact on the world every day - it's such a great feeling," says Michelle Torrech, the secretary of CKI. She is excited about this upcoming semester and is looking forward to getting to know new members who are excited about service to the community.
This semester, starting Oct.16, Felix, Torrech, and other members of CKI, will be volunteering every Wednesday and Friday with Metropolitan Ministries in its efforts in providing food and services to poor and homeless families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Polk County. In order to participate in this project, CKI members and other volunteers are required to register through the project’s website at www.metromin.org or contact them via phone at (813)209-1045. The office is located at 2001 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602. It is beneficial to register in advance so they are aware of how many volunteers will be participating that day.
According to older members, there are many benefits from joining CKI that include making new friends, experiencing excellent networking opportunities, meeting people from all over the nation, gaining leadership development, and attending international conventions. “Participating in service projects within the community allows you to meet and interact with all kinds of people and it is encouraging to be surrounded by other students who strive to achieve the same goals towards community service,” Felix says. “I never understood why more students aren’t involved.” Circle K International’s meetings are held Wednesday at 8 PM in Walker Hall room 408. Anyone is welcomed to join and there are no requirements for membership. It’s time to get out and get involved in your community. You can start making a difference today.
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